CAMPING AND AN OLD OBSESSION

Me - nah - I'm not the camping type - I need a/c, cable, nice restaurants, great light and a comfortable chair.  Now those big fancy motorhomes have all that but that's not really roughing it. 
Camp Loopy 2012 is what I am talking about - I know at least a couple of my local friends and several blog friends are doing Camp Loopy.  Sheri the owner of The Loopy Ewe devised this cute way of having everyone participant in a group project last summer.  She gives a discount on yarn and little incentives for finishing on time and so forth.  It's fun - plus there is lots of campfire fun over on Ravelry. 

I am doing a beautiful hooded scarf Peak Island Hood by Ysolda Teague a UK designer.  I am using hand dyed yarn from Three Irish Girls in an exquisite colorway called Niall.  I am enjoying knitting the well written pattern.  Thank goodness there are stretches of mindless knitting - I need that especially this week - I'm sorry but it has been the week from hell.  First Tropical Storm Beryl - dealing with the aftermath has been difficult for some residents of NE FL.  Thankfully we did not have any damage but a lot of cleanup of tree debris.  thanks to all my blog friends for sending comments and well wishes on that subject.  It was much appreciated.

 The old obsession part of the blog post title refers to my love of needlepoint.  I learned to needlepoint as a young girl - about 8yrs old.  It has been something I always go back to.  I've done lots of needlepoint classes incorporating fancy threads and intricate stitches but I think my favorite needlepoint is just classic designs like this one using beautiful wool or wool blend threads.  This canvas is using mostly Silk and Ivory a 50/50 merino silk blend.

 Here is a close up shot of the backround stitch for the blue.  I think this is going to be nice and I will do a different backround stitch on the yellow green portion - brick maybe.  Sorry this photo is not as crisp as I would like but you get the idea.

No I am not working this on any type of frame.  I'm sure most needlepointers would frown but I find holding a heavy frame to be tiresome and yes I have every type of frame and type of stand known to man - I just like to feel the project in my hands.  Just like with stitching on linen which I do 95% in hand.

Well the weekend is upon us.  What do you have planned?  I go to my EGA stitching group tomorrow but other than that - I am looking forward to a quiet relaxing weekend - after the week I've had with first the silly storm and then network problems for the past 36 hours - whew - I'm ready to chill out.  Enjoy !